Systems and methods for controlling imaging device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for controlling an imaging device. The system may include an imaging device, a voice processing device, and a terminal. The imaging device may be configured to image a subject. The voice processing device may be configured to receive a first voice signal from or transmit a second voice signal to the subject when the subject is positioned within the imaging device. The terminal may be configured to receive a third voice signal from or transmit a fourth voice signal to a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of International Application No.PCT/2019/102349, filed on Aug. 23, 2019, which claims priority ofChinese Patent Application No. 201811109281.9 filed on Sep. 21, 2018,and Chinese Patent Application No. 201810966308.X, filed on Aug. 23,2018, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to an imaging device, and moreparticularly, relates to systems and methods for controlling an imagingdevice via a terminal.

BACKGROUND

Medical imaging systems, such as an X-ray imaging device, have beenwidely used in clinical examinations and medical diagnoses in recentyears. Digital radiography (DR) is an advanced X-ray imaging device thatcombines computer digital image processing technology with X-rayradiation technology. Digital radiography has multiple advantages, suchas a low radiation dose, a high image quality, a high disease detectionrate and diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, a mobile digital radiographycan be moved over a wide range to meet scanning needs of differentportions of a patient with impaired mobility.

When using an X-ray imaging device to perform a scan, a user (e.g., adoctor, a technician) needs to control the X-ray imaging device. Forexample, the user may adjust one or more components of the X-ray imagingdevice to capture image data (e.g., a front view image, a side viewimage) of a subject (e.g., a patient). As another example, the user maycontrol an imaging parameter (e.g., an exposure time) and process thecaptured image data via an operation platform installed in the X-rayimaging device, which may both cause unnecessary radiation to the user.

In addition, to perform an imaging, the X-ray imaging device needs to bemoved from a storage location to a location of the subject. Aftercompleting the imaging, the X-ray imaging device also needs to be movedto a network coverage area to upload the captured image data to amanagement system (e.g., a picture archiving and communication systems(PACS)). During an imaging process, the X-ray imaging device may need tobe moved frequently. Due to a relatively large volume of the X-rayimaging device, it may be time consuming and laborious to move the X-rayimaging device, resulting in a low flexibility and/or availability ofthe mobile imaging. Furthermore, a communication between the subject andthe user is inconvenient, so that timely exchange of information betweenthe subject and the user may be difficult, which in turn may reduce theefficiency and/or effectiveness of the use of the X-ray imaging device.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide systems and methods forcontrolling the imaging device to facilitate the communication betweenthe subject and the user and improve the flexibility and/or availabilityof mobile imaging.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided.The system may include an imaging device, a voice processing device, anda terminal. The imaging device may be configured to image a subject. Thevoice processing device may be configured to receive a first voicesignal from or transmit a second voice signal to the subject when thesubject is positioned within the imaging device. The terminal may beconfigured to receive a third voice signal from or transmit a fourthvoice signal to a user.

In some embodiments, the system may include an image capture device. Theimage capture device may be configured to capture an image representinga status of the subject when the subject is positioned within theimaging device.

In some embodiments, the image capture device may be mounted on theimaging device.

In some embodiments, the system may include a storage device, incommunication with the terminal, configured to store informationincluding or relating to at least one of the first voice signal, thesecond voice signal, the third voice signal, the fourth voice signal, ora recorded voice signal. The terminal may be configured to transmit atleast a portion of the information stored in the storage device to atleast one of the subject or the user.

In some embodiments, the voice processing device may include at leastone of a speaker, a microphone, or an integrated device including thespeaker and the microphone.

In some embodiments, the voice processing device may be mounted on theimaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may include a second voice processingdevice.

In some embodiments, the second voice processing device may include atleast one of a speaker, a microphone, or an integrated device includingthe speaker and the microphone.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be configured to receive aninstruction provided by the user for controlling the imaging of thesubject by the imaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may include an exposure control unit.The exposure control unit may be configured to adjust an exposureparameter and transmit a command for adjusting the exposure parameter tothe imaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may include a movement control unit.The movement control unit may be configured to transmit to the imagingdevice a second command for controlling a movement of at least onecomponent of the imaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be removably attached to theimaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be a portable tablet.

In some embodiments, the imaging device may be an X-ray imaging device.

In some embodiments, the imaging device may be a mobile digitalradiography (DR) or a C-arm device.

In some embodiments, the imaging device may include an X-ray source, adetector. The X-ray source may include a high voltage generator and atube. The terminal may be in communication with the high voltagegenerator and the tube to transmit a control signal. The system mayfurther include an exposure synchronization module configured tosynchronize the high voltage generator and the detector based on thecontrol signal. The imaging device may be configured to generate imagedata by imaging the subject based on the control signal andsynchronization between the high voltage generator and the detector. Theterminal may be configured to obtain, process, and transmit the imagedata.

In some embodiments, the system may include a first transceiver, asecond transceiver, and a third transceiver. The first transceiver maybe configured to transmit the control signal and receive secondinformation from at least one of the high voltage generator or the tube.The second transceiver may be configured to transmit third informationof the high voltage generator, and receive fourth information from atleast one of the terminal or the tube. The third transceiver may beconfigured to transmit fifth information of the detector, and receivesixth information from at least one of the terminal or the high voltagegenerator.

In some embodiments, the terminal may further be configured to obtain astatus of the high voltage generator.

In some embodiments, the terminal may further be configured to obtain astatus of the detector.

In some embodiments, the status of the detector may include at least oneof a connection status, a readiness status, power information,temperature information, or error information.

In some embodiments, communication between at least two of the imagingdevice, the voice processing device, or the terminal may be wireless.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication may include at least oneof a Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth, a radio frequency transmission, or an infraredtransmission.

In some embodiments, the system may include a picture archiving andcommunication system (PACS). At least one of the imaging device, or theterminal may further be configured to communicate with the PACS.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a system isprovided. The system may include an imaging device, a terminal, and anexposure synchronization module. The imaging device may include an X-raysource and a detector. The X-ray source may include a high voltagegenerator and a tube. The terminal, in communication with the highvoltage generator and the tube, may be configured to transmit a controlsignal. The exposure synchronization module may be configured tosynchronize the high voltage generator and the detector based on thecontrol signal. The imaging device may be configured to generate imagedata by imaging a subject based on the control signal andsynchronization between the high voltage generator and the detector. Theterminal may be configured to obtain, process, and transmit the imagedata.

In some embodiments, the system may include a first transceiver, asecond transceiver, and a third transceiver. The first transceiver maybe configured to transmit the control signal and receive informationfrom at least one of the high voltage generator or the tube. The secondtransceiver may be configured to transmit second information of the highvoltage generator, and receive third information from at least one ofthe terminal or the tube. The third transceiver may be configured totransmit fourth information of the detector, and receive fifthinformation from at least one of the terminal or the high voltagegenerator.

In some embodiments, the terminal may further be configured to obtain astatus of the high voltage generator.

In some embodiments, the terminal may further be configured to obtain astatus of the detector.

In some embodiments, the status of the detector may include at least oneof a connection status, a readiness status, power information,temperature information, or an error information.

In some embodiments, the system may include a voice processing deviceconfigured to receive a first voice signal from or transmit a secondvoice signal to the subject when the subject is positioned within theimaging device. The terminal may be configured to receive a third voicesignal from or transmit a fourth voice signal to a user.

In some embodiments, the system may include an image capture deviceconfigured to capture an image representing a status of the subject whenthe subject is positioned within the imaging device.

In some embodiments, the image capture device may be mounted on theimaging device.

In some embodiments, the system may include a storage device, incommunication with the terminal, configured to store sixth informationincluding or relating to at least one of the first voice signal, thesecond voice signal, the third voice signal, the fourth voice signal, ora recorded voice signal. The terminal may be configured to transmit atleast a portion of the information stored in the storage device to atleast one of the subject or the user.

In some embodiments, the voice processing device may include at leastone of a speaker, a microphone, or an integrated device including thespeaker and the microphone.

In some embodiments, the voice processing device may be mounted on theimaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may include a second voice processingdevice.

In some embodiments, the second voice processing device includes atleast one of a speaker, a microphone, or an integrated device includingthe speaker and the microphone.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be configured to receive aninstruction provided by the user for controlling the imaging of thesubject by the imaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may include an exposure control unit.The exposure control unit may be configured to adjust an exposureparameter and transmit a command for adjusting the exposure parameter tothe imaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may include a movement control unit.The movement control unit may be configured to transmit to the imagingdevice a second command for controlling a movement of at least onecomponent of the imaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be removably attached to theimaging device.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be a portable tablet.

In some embodiments, the imaging device may be an X-ray imaging device.

In some embodiments, the imaging device may be a mobile digitalradiography (DR) or a C-arm device.

In some embodiments, communication between at least two of the imagingdevice, the exposure synchronization module, or the terminal may bewireless.

In some embodiments, the wireless communication may include at least oneof a Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth, a radio frequency transmission, or an infraredtransmission.

In some embodiments, the system may include a picture archiving andcommunication system (PACS). At least one of the imaging device, or theterminal may further be configured to communicate with the PACS.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal isprovided. The terminal may include a storage device, an interface, and atransceiver. The storage device may be configured to store at least oneimaging protocol. The interface may be configured to generate a controlsignal based on a selected imaging protocol from the at least oneimaging protocol. The transceiver may be configured to transmit thecontrol signal to an imaging device, and obtain image data associatedwith a subject. The interface may be configured to display the imagedata.

In some embodiments, the terminal may include a processor configured toprocess the image data.

In some embodiments, the storage device may be configured to storeinformation associated with the subject.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a methodimplemented on a computing device having one or more processors and oneor more storage devices. The method may include transmitting, by aterminal, a control signal to an imaging device. The imaging device mayinclude an X-ray source and a detector. The X-ray source may include ahigh voltage generator and a tube. The method may include performing, byan exposure synchronization module, a synchronization operation on thehigh voltage generator and the detector based on the control signal. Themethod may include generating, by the imaging device, image data basedon the control signal and synchronization between the high voltagegenerator and the detector. The method may include obtaining, by theterminal, the image data.

In some embodiments, the method may include processing, by the terminal,the image data.

In some embodiments, the method may include transmitting, by theterminal, the image data.

In some embodiments, communication between at least two of the imagingdevice, the exposure synchronization module, or the terminal may bewireless.

The present disclosure provides a system including an imaging device, afirst voice processing device, a terminal, and a second voice processingdevice. When the terminal is separated from the imaging device, theterminal may transmit data to the imaging device wirelessly. A two-waycommunication between a subject (e.g., a patient) and a user (e.g., adoctor, a technician) may be achieved via the first voice processingdevice and the second voice processing device. When the user takes theterminal away from the subject to perform an exposure detection, theuser and the subject may undergo an audio communication to achieve atimely and effective information exchange. Therefore, the user may knowthe needs of the subject in real time, the real-time communicationbetween the user and the subject may be achieved, which may improve theefficiency and/or effectiveness of the imaging process, and save time.

Furthermore, the use of the first voice processing device, the secondvoice processing device, and the image capture device may combineinformation in the form of audio and video. When the user is incommunication with the subject, real-time image information, video andaudio information of the subject may also be acquired.

In addition, in some embodiments, the imaging device may include anX-ray imaging device that in turn includes a high voltage generator anda tube. In some embodiments, the terminal may be in communication withthe high voltage generator and the tube wirelessly to transmit a controlsignal. The imaging device may generate image data by imaging thesubject based on the control signal and synchronization between the highvoltage generator and the tube. The terminal may obtain, process, andtransmit at least a portion of the image data. In the system disclosedin the present disclosure, the imaging device may be controlled via theterminal and the image data may also be processed via the terminal. Dueto the wireless communication between the terminal and the imagingdevice, the terminal may be used away from the imaging device. Theimaging device does not need to be moved to a network coverage area toupload the captured image data to a management system (e.g., a picturearchiving and communication systems (PACS)). Therefore, the imagingdevice does not need to be moved frequently, and the image data may beprocessed conveniently and quickly, which may improve the flexibilityand/or availability of mobile imaging.

Additional features will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the artupon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or maybe learned by production or operation of the examples. The features ofthe present disclosure may be realized and attained by practice or useof various aspects of the methodologies, instrumentalities andcombinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is further described in terms of exemplaryembodiments. These exemplary embodiments are described in detail withreference to the drawings. The drawings are not to scale. Theseembodiments are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, in which likereference numerals represent similar structures throughout the severalviews of the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging systemaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary terminalaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary hardware and/orsoftware components of an exemplary computing device on which theprocessing device may be implemented according to some embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary hardware and/orsoftware components of an exemplary mobile device on which theterminal(s) may be implemented according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging systemaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary terminalaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for obtainingimage data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe relevant disclosure. However, it should be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without suchdetails. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, systems,components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relativelyhigh-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuringaspects of the present disclosure, Various modifications to thedisclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limitedto the embodiments shown, but to be accorded the widest scope consistentwith the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, theterms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or“including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an exampleor illustration.

It will be understood that the terms “system,” “engine,” “unit,”“module,” and/or “block” used herein are one method to distinguishdifferent components, elements, parts, sections or assembly of differentlevels in ascending order. However, the terms may be displaced byanother expression if they achieve the same purpose.

Generally, the word “module,” “unit,” or “block,” as used herein, refersto logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection ofsoftware instructions. A module, a unit, or a block described herein maybe implemented as software and/or hardware and may be stored in any typeof non-transitory computer-readable medium or another storage device. Insome embodiments, a software module/unit/block may be compiled andlinked into an executable program. It will be appreciated that softwaremodules can be callable from other modules/units/blocks or fromthemselves, and/or may be invoked in response to detected events orinterrupts. Software modules/units/blocks configured for execution oncomputing devices may be provided on a computer-readable medium, such asa compact disc, a digital video disc, a flash drive, a magnetic disc, orany other tangible medium, or as a digital download (and can beoriginally stored in a compressed or installable format that needsinstallation, decompression, or decryption prior to execution). Suchsoftware code may be stored, partially or fully, on a storage device ofthe executing computing device, for execution by the computing device,Software instructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. Itwill be further appreciated that hardware modules/units/blocks may beincluded in connected logic components, such as gates and flip-flops,and/or can be included of programmable units, such as programmable gatearrays or processors. The modules/units/blocks or computing devicefunctionality described herein may be implemented as softwaremodules/units/blocks, but may be represented in hardware or firmware. Ingeneral, the modules/units/blocks described herein refer to logicalmodules/units/blocks that may be combined with othermodules/units/blocks or divided into sub-modules/sub-units/sub-blocksdespite their physical organization or storage. The description may beapplicable to a system, an engine, or a portion thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element from another. For example, a first elementcould be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element couldbe termed a first element, without departing from the scope of exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

Spatial and functional relationships between elements are describedusing various terms, including “connected,” “attached,” and “mounted.”Unless explicitly described as being “direct,” when a relationshipbetween first and second elements is described in the presentdisclosure, that relationship includes a direct relationship where noother intervening elements are present between the first and secondelements, and also an indirect relationship where one or moreintervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally)between the first and second elements. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly” connected, attached, or positioned toanother element, there are no intervening elements present. Other wordsused to describe the relationship between elements should be interpretedin a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,”“adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

It should also be understood that terms such as “top,” “bottom,”“upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “lateral,” “above,” “below,” “upward(s),”“downward(s),” “left-hand side.” “right-hand side.” “horizontal,” andother such spatial reference terms are used in a relative sense todescribe the positions or orientations of certainsurfaces/parts/components of the imaging device with respect to othersuch features of the imaging device when the imaging device is in anormal operating position and may change if the position or orientationof the imaging device changes.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present disclosure,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, may become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description with reference to the accompanying drawings, allof which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration and description only and are not intended to limit thescope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the drawings arenot to scale.

For illustration purposes, the following description is provided to helpbetter understanding an imaging process. It is understood that this isnot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. For personshaving ordinary skills in the art, a certain amount of variations,changes and/or modifications may be deducted under the guidance of thepresent disclosure. Those variations, changes and/or modifications donot depart from the scope of the present disclosure.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system. The system mayinclude an imaging device, a first voice processing device, and aterminal. The imaging device (e.g., an X-ray imaging device) may beconfigured to image a subject (e.g., a patient). The first voiceprocessing device may be configured to receive a first voice signal fromor transmit a second voice signal to the subject when the subject ispositioned within the imaging device. In some embodiments, the terminalmay include a second voice processing device. The second voiceprocessing device of the terminal may be configured to receive a thirdvoice signal from or transmit a fourth voice signal to a user.Accordingly, the subject and a user (e.g., a doctor, a technician) maybe in communication with each other via the first voice processingdevice and the terminal (e.g., the second voice processing device),which may improve the efficiency of the imaging device, and may alsosave time. In some embodiments, the system may further include an imagecapture device configured to capture an image representing a status ofthe subject when the subject is positioned within the imaging device.The use of the first voice processing device, the second voiceprocessing device, and the image capture device may combine informationin the form of audio and video. When the user is in communication withthe subject, the real-time status of the subject may also be acquired.When the user performs an imaging operation (e.g., an exposuredetection) on the subject by the imaging device, the user and thesubject may undergo an audio communication to achieve a timely andeffective information exchange. Therefore, the user may know the needsof the subject in real time, the real-time communication between theuser and the subject may be achieved.

For illustration purposes, the imaging device may include an X-raysource and a detector. The X-ray source may include a high voltagegenerator and a tube. The terminal may be in communication with the highvoltage generator and the tube to transmit a control signal. An exposuresynchronization module may be configured to synchronize the high voltagegenerator and the detector based on the control signal. The imagingdevice may be configured to generate image data by imaging the subjectbased on the control signal and synchronization between the high voltagegenerator and the detector. The terminal may be configured to obtain,process, and transmit at least a portion of the image data. Accordingly,the imaging device may be controlled via the terminal and the image datamay also be processed via the terminal. Due to a wireless communicationbetween the terminal and the imaging device, the terminal may be used(e.g., process the image data, upload the image data) away from theimaging device. The imaging device does not need to be moved to anetwork coverage area to upload the captured image data to a managementsystem (e.g., a picture archiving and communication systems (PACS)).Therefore, the imaging device does not need to be moved frequently, andthe image data may be processed conveniently and quickly, which mayimprove the flexibility and/or availability of mobile imaging.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging systemaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, theimaging system 100 may include an imaging device 110, a processingdevice 120, a storage device 130, one or more terminal(s) 140, and anetwork 150. In some embodiments, the imaging device 110, the processingdevice 120, the storage device 130, and/or the terminal(s) 140 may beconnected to and/or communicate with each other via a wirelessconnection (e.g., the network 150), a wired connection, or a combinationthereof. The connection between the components in the imaging system 100may be variable. For example, the imaging device 110 may be connected tothe processing device 120 through the network 150, or connected to theprocessing device 120 directly. As another example, the storage device130 may be connected to the processing device 120 through the network150, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or connected to the processing device 120directly. As still another example, the terminal(s) 140 may be connectedto the processing device 120 through the network 150, or connected tothe processing device 120 directly. As still another example, theterminal(s) 140 may be connected to the imaging device 110 through thenetwork 150, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or connected to the imagingdevice 110 directly.

The imaging device 110 may be configured to scan a subject usingradiation rays and generate imaging data used to generate one or moreimages relating to the subject. In some embodiments, the imaging device110 may transmit the imaging data to the processing device 120 or theterminal 140 for further processing (e.g., generating one or moreimages). In some embodiments, the imaging data and/or the one or moreimages associated with the subject may be stored in the storage device130, the processing device 120, and/or the terminal 140.

In some embodiments, the imaging device 110 may be a computed tomography(CT) scanner, a suspended X-ray imaging device, a digital radiography(DR) scanner (e.g., a mobile digital X-ray imaging device), a C-armdevice, a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) scanner, a dynamicspatial reconstruction (DSR) scanner, an X-ray microscopy scanner, amultimodality scanner, or the Ike, or any combination thereof. Exemplarymulti-modality scanners may include a computed tomography-positronemission tomography (CT-PET) scanner, a computed tomography-magneticresonance imaging (CT-MRI) scanner, etc. The subject may be biologicalor non-biological. In some embodiments, the subject may include apatient, a man-made object, etc. In some embodiments, the subject mayinclude a specific portion, organ, and/or tissue of a patient. Forexample, the subject may include head, brain, neck, body, shoulder, arm,thorax, cardiac, stomach, blood vessel, soft tissue, knee, feet, or theIke, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the imaging device 110 may include a gantry 112, adetector 114, a radiation source 116, and a table 118. The subject maybe placed on the table 118 for scanning. In some embodiments, theradiation source 116 may include a high voltage generator (not shown inFIG. 1), a tube (not shown in FIG. 1) and a collimator (not shown inFIG. 1). The high voltage generator may be configured to generate ahigh-voltage and current for the tube. The tube may generate and/or emitradiation beams traveling toward the subject. The radiation may includea particle ray, a photon ray, or the like, or any combination thereof.In some embodiments; the radiation may include a plurality of radiationparticles (e.g., neutrons, protons, electron, p-mesons, heavy ions), aplurality of radiation photons (e.g., X-ray, a y-ray, ultraviolet,laser), or the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,the tube may include an anode target and a filament. The filament may beconfigured to generate electrons to bombard the anode target. The anodetarget may be configured to generate the radiation rays (e.g.; X-rays)when the electrons bombard the anode target. The collimator may beconfigured to adjust the irradiation region (i.e., radiation field) onthe subject. The collimator may also be configured to adjust theintensity and/or the number (or count) of the radiation beams thatirradiate on the subject.

The detector 114 may detect radiation beams. In some embodiments, thedetector 114 may be configured to produce an analog electrical signalthat represents the intensity of the received X-rays, including theattenuated beam, as it passes through the subject. In some embodiments,the detector 114 may be a flat panel detector. In some embodiments, thedetector 114 may include a plurality of detecting units. The detectingunits may include a scintillation detector (e.g., a cesium iodidedetector), a gas detector; etc. The plurality of detecting units of thedetector may be arranged in any suitable manner, for example, a singlerow, two rows, or another number of rows. More descriptions ofcomponents in the imaging device 110 may be found elsewhere in thepresent disclosure (e.g., FIG. 2 and the descriptions thereof).

The processing device 120 may process data and/or information obtainedfrom the imaging device 110, the storage device 130, and/or theterminal(s) 140. For example, the processing device 120 may reconstructan image relating to at least one part of a subject (e.g., a tumor)based on imaging data collected by the imaging device 110. As anotherexample, the processing device 120 may process image data collected bythe imaging device 110. In some embodiments, the processing device 120may be a single server or a server group. The server group may becentralized or distributed. In some embodiments, the processing device120 may be local or remote. For example, the processing device 120 mayaccess information and/or data from the imaging device 110, the storagedevice 130, and/or the terminal(s) 140 via the network 150. As anotherexample, the processing device 120 may be directly connected to theimaging device 110, the terminal(s) 140, and/or the storage device 130to access information and/or data. In some embodiments, the processingdevice 120 may be implemented on a cloud platform. For example, thecloud platform may include a private cloud, a public cloud, a hybridcloud, a community cloud, a distributed cloud, an inter-cloud, amulti-cloud, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments,the processing device 120 may be part of the terminal 140.

The storage device 130 may store data, instructions, and/or any otherinformation. In some embodiments, the storage device 130 may store dataobtained from the imaging device 110, the processing device 120, and/orthe terminal(s) 140. For example, the storage device 130 may storeinformation associated with a subject. The information associated withthe subject may include a name of the subject, the gender of thesubject, the age of the subject, a portion of the subject to be imaged,or the like, or any combination thereof. As another example, storagedevice 130 may store an imaging parameter associated with at least onecomponent of the imaging system 100, The imaging parameter may include acurrent of an imaging device, a voltage of an imaging device, a scantime, or the like, or any combination thereof. As still another example,the storage device 130 may store at least one imaging protocol. Theimaging protocol may refer to a combination of various imagingparameters. In some embodiments, the imaging protocol may be determinedbased on hardware and software of the imaging device, a user'spreference, the information associated with the subject. As stillanother example, the storage device 130 may store a status of at leastone component of the imaging system 100. The status of the at least onecomponent (e.g., a high voltage generator, the detector 114) of theimaging system 100 may include a connection status, a readiness status,power information, temperature information, error information, or thelike, or any combination thereof. As still another example, the storagedevice 130 may store information including or relating to at least oneof a first voice signal, a second voice signal, a third voice signal, afourth voice signal, or a recorded voice signal, as described elsewherein the present disclosure. The recorded voice signal may be pre-recordedby the user. The information relating to the first voice signal (or thesecond voice signal, the third voice signal, the fourth voice signal,the recorded voice signal) may include a processed first voice signal(or a processed second voice signal, a processed third voice signal, aprocessed fourth voice signal, a processed recorded voice signal). Insome embodiments, the storage device 130 may store data and/orinstructions that the processing device 120 and/or the terminal 140 mayexecute or use to perform exemplary methods described in the presentdisclosure. In some embodiments, the storage device 130 may include amass storage, removable storage, a volatile read-and-write memory, aread-only memory (ROM), or the like, or any combination thereof.Exemplary mass storage may include a magnetic disk, an optical disk, asolid-state drive, etc. Exemplary removable storage may include a flashdrive, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a memory card, a zip disk, amagnetic tape, etc. Exemplary volatile read-and-write memory may includea random access memory (RAM). Exemplary RAM may include a dynamic RAM(DRAM), a double date rate synchronous dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM), a staticRAM (SRAM), a thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and a zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM),etc. Exemplary ROM may include a mask ROM (MROM), a programmable ROM(PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), a compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), and a digitalversatile disk ROM, etc. In some embodiments, the storage device 130 maybe implemented on a cloud platform as described elsewhere in thedisclosure.

In some embodiments, the storage device 130 may be connected to thenetwork 150 to communicate with one or more other components in theimaging system 100 (e.g., the processing device 120, the terminal(s)140). One or more components in the imaging system 100 may access thedata or instructions stored in the storage device 130 via the network150. In some embodiments, the storage device 130 may be part of theprocessing device 120. In some embodiments, the storage device 130 maybe part of the terminal 140.

In some embodiments, the imaging system 100 may further include a firstvoice processing device (e.g., a speaker 220, a microphone 230 asillustrated in FIG. 2). The first voice processing device may beconfigured to receive a first voice signal from or transmit a secondvoice signal to the subject when the subject is positioned within theimaging device 110. For example, the first voice processing device maytransmit the first voice signal received from the subject to theterminal 140. As another example, the first voice processing device maytransmit the second voice signal received from the terminal 140 to thesubject.

In some embodiments, the first voice processing device may include aspeaker, a microphone, an integrated device including the speaker andthe microphone, or the like, or any combination thereof. The speaker mayconvert an electrical signal into a voice. The microphone may be atransducer that converts a voice into an electrical signal.

In some embodiments, the first voice processing device may be mounted onthe imaging device 110. The first voice processing device may be mountedon a location of the imaging device 110 dose to the subject to ensure anaccurate acquisition of voice information (e.g., the first voice signal)from the subject, thereby facilitating the communication between thesubject and the user. For example, the first voice processing device maybe mounted on a trolley (e.g., a trolley 210 as illustrated in FIG. 2)of the imaging device 110. As another example, the first voiceprocessing device may be mounted on the table 118.

The terminal(s) 140 may be connected to and/or communicate with theimaging device 110, the processing device 120, and/or the storage device130. For example, the terminal 140 may receive a third voice signal fromor transmit a fourth voice signal to a user. As another example, theterminal 140 may obtain, process, and transmit image data collected bythe imaging device 110. As still another example, a user may provide aninput via a user interface implemented on the terminal 140. The inputmay include an imaging parameter (e.g., an exposure parameter), an imageconstruction parameter, information associated with the subject to beimaged, as described elsewhere in the present disclosure. As stillanother example, the terminal 140 may receive an instruction provided bythe user for controlling the imaging of the subject by the imagingdevice 110. As still another example, the terminal 140 may adjust animaging parameter (e.g., an exposure parameter) and transmit a firstcommand for adjusting the imaging parameter (e.g., the exposureparameter) to the imaging device 110. As still another example, theterminal 140 may transmit to the imaging device 110 a second command forcontrolling a movement of at least one component of the imaging device110. As still another example, the terminal 140 may transmit a controlsignal to the imaging device 110 to control a status of at least onecomponent (e.g., a high voltage generator, a tube, a detector) of theimaging device 110. The status of the at least one component of theimaging device 110 may include a connection status, a readiness status,power information, temperature information, error information, or thelike, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the terminal 140 may include a mobile device 141, atablet computer 142, a laptop computer 143, or the like, or anycombination thereof. For example, the mobile device 141 may include amobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, anavigation device, a point of sale (POS) device, a laptop, a tabletcomputer, a desktop, or the like, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the terminal 140 may include an input device, an outputdevice, etc. The input device may include alphanumeric and other keysthat may be input via a keyboard, a touchscreen (for example, withhaptics or tactile feedback), a speech input, an eye tracking input, abrain monitoring system, or any other comparable input mechanism. Othertypes of the input device may include a cursor control device, such as amouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, etc. The output device mayinclude a display, a printer, or the like, or any combination thereof.In some embodiments, software, programs, and/or applications for controlsignal transmission, image acquisition, image processing, imagearchiving, image printing, or the like, may be developed based on anoperating system of the terminal 140. The software, programs, and/orapplications may be activated, operated, and/or perform correspondingwork based on a specific signal transmitted from the imaging device 110.

In some embodiments, the terminal 140 may include a second voiceprocessing device (e.g., a voice processing device 310 as illustrated inFIG. 3). The second voice processing device may include a speaker, amicrophone, an integrated device including the speaker and themicrophone, or the like, or any combination thereof. The second voiceprocessing device may receive a third voice signal from or transmit afourth voice signal to a user. For example, the second voice processingdevice may transmit the third voice signal received from the user to thefirst voice processing device. As another example, the second voiceprocessing device may transmit the fourth voice signal received from thefirst voice processing device to the user. Accordingly, a two-waycommunication or a one-way communication between the subject and theuser may be achieved via the first voice processing device and thesecond voice processing device. More descriptions of the second voiceprocessing device may be found elsewhere in the present disclosure(e.g., FIG. 3 and descriptions thereof).

In some embodiments, the terminal 140 may be removably attached to theimaging device 110. In this situation, the terminal 140 may communicatewith the imaging device 110, the processing device 120, and/or thestorage device 130 wirelessly. When the user takes the terminal 140 awayfrom the subject to perform an exposure detection, the user and thesubject may undergo an audio communication to achieve a timely andeffective information exchange. Therefore, the user may know the needsof the subject in real time, the real-time communication between theuser and the subject may be achieved, which may improve the efficiencyand/or effectiveness of the imaging process, and may also save time.

Accordingly, the terminal 140 disclosed in the present disclosure mayreplace a console in a traditional imaging device. The terminal 140 maybe in communication with one or more other components of the imagingsystem 100 via a wireless connection. After the imaging of the subjectis completed, the user may take the terminal 140 and be away from theimaging device 110, the image data collected by the imaging device 110may be obtained, processed, and transmitted by the user via the terminal140.

The network 150 may include any suitable network that can facilitate theexchange of information and/or data for the imaging system 100. In someembodiments, one or more components of the imaging system 100 (e.g., theimaging device 110, the processing device 120, the storage device 130,the terminals) 140, etc.) may communicate information and/or data withone or more other components of the imaging system 100 via the network150. For example, the processing device 120 and/or the terminal 140 mayobtain image data from the imaging device 110 via the network 150. Asanother example, the processing device 120 and/or the terminal 140 mayobtain information stored in the storage device 130 via the network 150.As still another example, the processing device 120 and/or the terminal140 may transmit a control signal to the imaging device 110 via thenetwork 150. As still another example, the processing device 120 and/orthe terminal 140 may obtain a status of at least one component (e.g., ahigh voltage generator, a tube, a detector) of the imaging device 110via the network 150. The network 150 may be and/or include a publicnetwork (e.g., the Internet), a private network (e.g., a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN)), etc.), a wired network (e.g.,an Ethernet network), a wireless network (e.g., an 802.11 network, aWi-Fi network, etc.), a cellular network (e.g., a Long Term Evolution(LTE) network), a frame relay network, a virtual private network (VPN),a satellite network, a telephone network, routers, hubs, witches, servercomputers, and/or any combination thereof. For example, the network 150may include a cable network, a wireline network, a fiber-optic network,a telecommunications network, an intranet, a wireless local area network(WLAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a public telephone switchednetwork (PSTN), a Bluetooth™ network, a ZigBee™ network, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) network, or the like, or any combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the network 150 may include one or more network accesspoints. For example, the network 150 may include wired and/or wirelessnetwork access points such as base stations and/or internet exchangepoints through which one or more components of the imaging system 100may be connected to the network 150 to exchange data and/or information.

This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the present disclosure. Many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features,structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplaryembodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtainadditional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. However, thosevariations and modifications do not depart the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, the storage device 130 may be a data storageincluding cloud computing platforms, such as public cloud, privatecloud, community, and hybrid clouds, etc. As another example, theprocessing device 120 may be integrated into the terminal(s) 140. Asstill another example, the imaging system 100 may further include animage capture device (e.g., an image capture device 280 as illustratedin FIG. 2) configured to capture an image representing a status of thesubject when the subject is positioned within the imaging device 110.

In some embodiments, the imaging system 100 may include a picturearchiving and communication system (PACS). The PACS may be a medicalimaging technology which provides economical storage and convenientaccess to images from multiple modalities (source machine types). Imagesand reports in the form of an electronic file may be transmitteddigitally via PACS, which may eliminate the need to manually file,retrieve, or transport film jackets, the folders used to store andprotect an image in the form of, e.g., an X-ray film. In someembodiments, one or more components of the imaging system 100 may be incommunication with the PACS. For example, the terminal 140 may transmitthe image data collected by the imaging device 110 to the PACS.Specifically, the terminal 140 may transmit the image data to the PACSby connecting to a medical system or a cloud platform via a wirelessconnection or a wired connection.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the imaging device 200 may be an example of the imagingdevice 110 or a portion of the imaging device 110. As shown in FIG. 2,the imaging device 200 may include a trolley 210, a speaker 220, amicrophone 230, a column 240, an arm 250, a tube shell 260, a collimator270, an image capture device 280, and a terminal 290. In someembodiments, the terminal 290 may be an example of the terminal 140 or aportion of the terminal 140.

The trolley 210 may be configured to accommodate one or more componentsof the imaging device 200. For example, the trolley 210 may accommodatea circuit board, a signal processing circuit, and an electroniccomponent of the imaging device 200. In some embodiments, the trolley210 may include one or more rolling devices (e.g., one or more wheels).The trolley 210 may move around via the one or more wheels.

The column 240 may be a main supporting component in the imaging device200. The column 240 may be connected to the trolley 210 via the arm 250.In some embodiments, an end of the arm 250 may be connected to thecolumn 240, and another end of the arm 250 may be connected to the tubeshell 260. In some embodiments, the arm 250 may be mounted on thetrolley 210 via a locking device 251. The locking device 251 may includea mechanical locking device (e.g., a buckle with a concave and convexstructure), an electromagnetic locking device, or the like, or anycombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the arm 250 and the tube shell 260 may move withthe column 240. For example, the arm 250 and the tube shell 260 may movealong an axis that passes through the center of the column 240 and isparallel to a Z axis as illustrated in FIG. 2. The arm 250 and the tubeshell 260 may also rotate with the column 240 along an axis that passesthrough the center of the column 240 and is parallel to the Z-axis. Insome embodiments, the arm 250 may be retractable.

The tube shell 260 may be configured to protect one or more components(e.g., a tube) of the imaging device 200. The tube (not shown in FIG. 2)may be configured to emit one or more X-ray beams toward a subject to beimaged. The collimator 270 may be configured to control the irradiationregion on the subject. The collimator 270 may also be configured toadjust the intensity and/or the number (or count) of the X-ray beamsthat irradiate on the subject. The collimator 270 may further beconfigured to filter one or more scattered rays of the X-ray beams Insome embodiments, the collimator 270 may be mounted on the bottom of thetube shell 260, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The image capture device 280 may be configured to acquire image data(e.g., a video, an image) of the subject to be imaged. In someembodiments, the image capture device 280 may capture an imagerepresenting a real time status of the subject when the subject ispositioned within the imaging device 200. The status of the subject mayinclude a position of the subject, a posture of the subject, or thelike. In some embodiments, the image capture device 280 may acquire theimage data of a certain range in a same direction as the X-rays beamsemitted by the collimator 270.

In some embodiments, the image capture device 280 may be mounted on theimaging device 200. For example, the image capture device 280 may bemounted on the collimator 270. As another example; the image capturedevice 280 may be connected to the arm 250 via a movable robotic arm.The field of view of the image capture device 280 may be adjusted byadjusting the direction and the angle of the movable robotic arm. Insome embodiments, the image capture device 280 may be and/or include anysuitable device that is capable of acquiring image data, Exemplary imagecapture devices 280 may include a camera (e.g., a digital camera, ananalog camera, etc.), a video recorder, a mobile phone, a tabletcomputing device, a wearable computing device, an infrared imagingdevice (e.g., a thermal imaging device), or the like.

The camera 241 mounted on the column 240 may be configured to captureimage data (e.g., a video, an image) of the scene in front of the column240. The image data captured by the camera 241 may be transmitted to oneor more components (e.g., the terminal 290) for display. The user mayget to know the road condition in front of the column 240 via theterminal 290 when he or she pushes the imaging device 200.

A first voice processing device may include the speaker 220, themicrophone 230, or an integrated device including the speaker and themicrophone. The first voice processing device may be mounted on theimaging device 200. For example, the speaker 220 and the microphone 230may be mounted on the trolley 210. The first voice processing device maybe configured to receive a first voice signal from or transmit a secondvoice signal to the subject when the subject is positioned within theimaging device 200. For example, the first voice processing device(e.g., the microphone 230) may transmit the first voice signal receivedfrom the subject to the terminal 290. As another example, the firstvoice processing device (e.g., the speaker 220) may transmit the secondvoice signal received from the terminal 290 to the subject.

The terminal 290 may be configured to control the imaging device 200.The terminal 290 may be the same as or similar to the terminal 140 asdescribed in connection with FIG. 1, In some embodiments, the terminal290 may be a portable tablet mounted on the imaging device 200. In someembodiments; the terminal 290 may be removably attached to the imagingdevice 200. For example; when the terminal 290 is not in use, theterminal 290 may be stored in a container (not shown in FIG. 2) mountedon the tube shell 260. During the imaging of the subject, the user maytake the terminal 290 from the container, carry and use it, e.g., tocontrol one or more components of the imaging device 200, while the useris away from imaging device 200 and the subject. More descriptions ofthe terminal 290 may be found elsewhere in the present disclosure (e.g.,FIG. 3, and descriptions thereof).

In some embodiments, the imaging device 200 may include the imagecapture device 280 and the first voice processing device so that theimaging device 200 may both acquire image data of the subject andreceive the first voice signal from or transmit the second voice signalto the subject when the subject is positioned within the imaging device200 and facilitate a real-time two-way communication between the subjectand the user. In some embodiments, the speaker 220 and the microphone230 may be integrated into a single component, which may both receivethe first voice signal from or transmit the second voice signal to thesubject when the subject is positioned within the imaging device 200.

In some embodiments, the first voice processing device (e.g.; thespeaker 220, the microphone 230), the image capture device 280, theterminal 290, and/or one or more other components of the imaging device200 may be connected to and/or communicate with each other via awireless connection (e.g., a Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth, a radio frequencytransmission, an infrared transmission), a wired connection, or acombination thereof. For example, the terminal 290 may be connected tothe image capture device 280 or the camera 241 via the network 150. Theimage data captured by the image capture device 280 or the camera 241may be transmitted to the terminal 290 for display. As another example,the terminal 290 may be connected to the one or more components (e.g., atube, a high voltage generator, a detector) of the imaging device 200via the network 150. The user may control the one or more components ofthe imaging device 200 via the terminal 290. The image data generated bythe imaging device 200 may be transmitted to the terminal 290 fordisplay.

It should be noted that the above description is merely provided for thepurposes of illustration, and not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. For persons having ordinary skills in the art,multiple variations and modifications may be made under the teachings ofthe present disclosure. However, those variations and modifications donot depart from the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the column 240 may be configured in any suitablemanner, such as a C-shape support, a U-shape support, a G-shape support,or the like. In some embodiments, the imaging device 200 may include oneor more additional components not described, and/or without one or morecomponents illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the camera 241 may beomitted. As another example, the imaging device 200 may further includea gantry configured to support one or more components of the imagingdevice 200, such as, the detector, the collimator 270, and the tube.

In some embodiments, the imaging device 200 may further include acharging device. The charging device may be configured to charge one ormore components (e.g., the terminal 290) of the imaging device 200. Forexample, the charging device may charge the terminal 290 when theterminal 290 is placed in the container mounted on the tube shell 260.As another example, the charging device may charge the terminal 290 viaa wired connection (e.g., via a USB port) or a wireless connection.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary terminalaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fla3, the terminal 290 may include a second voice processing device 310 anda display 320.

The second voice processing device 310 may include a speaker; amicrophone, an integrated device including the speaker and themicrophone, or the like, or any combination thereof. The second voiceprocessing device 310 may receive a third voice signal from or transmita fourth voice signal to a user. For example, the second voiceprocessing device 310 (e.g., the microphone) may transmit the thirdvoice signal received from the user to a first voice processing devicemounted on an imaging device (e.g., the imaging device 110, the imagingdevice 200). As another example, the second voice processing device 310(e.g., the speaker) may transmit the fourth voice signal received fromthe first voice processing device to the user. A two-way communicationor a one-way communication between a subject and the user may beachieved via the first voice processing device mounted on the imagingdevice and the second voice processing device 310 mounted on theterminal 290.

In some embodiments, a microphone (e.g., the microphone 230) of thefirst voice processing device mounted on the imaging device (e.g., theimaging device 200) and the speaker of the second voice processingdevice 310 mounted on the terminal 290 may be configured as a firstvoice transmission path. For example; the speaker of the second voiceprocessing device 310 mounted on the terminal 290 may convert a firstvoice of the user into a first electrical signal and transmit the firstelectrical signal to the first voice processing device mounted on theimaging device (e.g., the imaging device 200). The microphone (e.g., themicrophone 230) of the first voice processing device mounted on theimaging device (e.g., the imaging device 200) may convert the firstelectrical signal into the first voice and transmit the first voice tothe subject.

In some embodiments, a speaker (e.g., the speaker 220) of the firstvoice processing device mounted on the imaging device (e.g., the imagingdevice 200) and the microphone of the second voice processing device 310mounted on the terminal 290 may be configured as a second voicetransmission path. For example, the speaker (e.g., the speaker 220) ofthe first voice processing device mounted on the imaging device (e.g.,the imaging device 200) may convert a second voice of the subject into asecond electrical signal and transmit the second electrical signal tothe second voice processing device 310 mounted on the terminal 290. Themicrophone of the second voice processing device 310 mounted on theterminal 290 may convert the second electrical signal into the secondvoice and transmit the second voice to the user.

In some embodiments, the first voice processing device may include themicrophone (e.g., the microphone 230), and the second voice processingdevice 310 may include the speaker. In some embodiments, the first voiceprocessing device may include the speaker (e.g., the speaker 220), andthe second voice processing device may include the microphone.

In some embodiments, the user may send a real time voice signal to thesubject via the first voice processing device and the second voiceprocessing device 310. For example, the user may say “please put yourhands down,” “that is fine,” or the like, to the subject via the firstvoice processing device and the second voice processing device 310. Insome embodiments, the user may send a recorded voice signal to thesubject via the first voice processing device and the second voiceprocessing device 310. The recorder voice signal may be pre-recorded bythis or another user of the imaging system 100. In some embodiments, therecorded voice signal may include “are you ready,” “hello,” “please donot move,” “please put your hands down,” “inhale,” “exhale,” or thelike. In some embodiments, a plurality of recorded voice signals in oneor different languages may be stored in a storage device (e.g., thestorage device 130) of the imaging system 100. The user may select arecorded voice signal and transmit the selected recorded voice signal tothe subject via the first voice processing device and the second voiceprocessing device 310.

The display 320 may be configured to display data associated with theimaging system 100. In some embodiments, the display 320 may displaytext (e.g., a number, words), an image, a symbol, a mark, a video, orthe like, or any combination thereof. For example, the display 320 maydisplay image data captured by, such as a camera (e.g., the camera 241)and an image capture device (e.g., the image capture device 280). Asanother example, the display 320 may display image data collected by theimaging device (e.g., the imaging device 110, the imaging device 200).As still another example, the display may display an imaging parameter(e.g., an exposure parameter) and a parameter associated with at leastone component (e.g., an inclination angle of a tube) of the imagingsystem 100.

Accordingly, the user may monitor a real-time status of the subject viaan image capture device (e.g., the image capture device 280) and theterminal 290, and help the subject adjust his/her status by talking tothe subject via the first voice processing device and the second voiceprocessing device 310. The adjusted status of the subject may also bedetected by the user via the image capture device and the terminal 290in real time. The use of the first voice processing device, the secondvoice processing device 310, and the image capture device may combineinformation in the form of audio and video. When the user is incommunication with the subject, the real-time status of the subject mayalso be acquired. When the user performs an imaging operation (e.g., anexposure detection) on the subject by the imaging device, the user andthe subject may undergo an audio communication to achieve a timely andeffective information exchange. Therefore, the user may know the needsof the subject in real time, the real-time communication between theuser and the subject may be achieved, which may improve the efficiencyand/or effectiveness of the imaging process, and may also save time.

In some embodiments, the terminal 290 may detect the real-time status ofthe subject automatically. For example, the terminal 290 may detectwhether a portion of the subject to be imaged is shaking during theimaging of the subject based on the image data captured by the imagecapture device. In response to a determination that the portion of thesubject is shaking, the terminal 290 may send a notification regardingthe status of the subject to the user and/or the subject.

In some embodiments, the imaging device is an X-ray imaging device. Theterminal 290 may include an exposure control unit (not shown in FIG. 3).The exposure control unit may be configured to adjust an exposureparameter and transmit a first command for adjusting the exposureparameter to the imaging device (e.g., the imaging device 110, theimaging device 200). The exposure parameter may include an exposurevoltage, an exposure time, or the like, or any combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the exposure control unit may include a plurality ofexposure function keys associated with the exposure parameter. Theselection of the exposure function key by the user may cause theterminal 290 to adjust the exposure parameter. For example, theselection of a start exposure key or a stop exposure key may cause theterminal 290 to direct the imaging device to start a scan or stop thescan of the subject. In some embodiments, after the exposure parameteris adjusted, an exposure control signal may be transmitted to theimaging device. The tube of the imaging device may emit one or moreX-ray beams toward the subject to be imaged. The detector may produce ananalog electrical signal that represents the intensity of the receivedX-rays, including the attenuated beam, as it passes through the subject.Image data (e.g., a film, an electronic image) associated with thesubject may be generated based on the electrical signal. Accordingly,the radiation received by the user may be reduced, the imagingefficiency and the user experience may be improved.

In some embodiments, the terminal 290 may include a movement controlunit. The movement control unit may be configured to transmit to theimaging device a second command for controlling a movement of at leastone component of the imaging device. In some embodiments, the movementcontrol unit may include a plurality of movement function keysassociated with a movement state of the at least one component of theimaging device. The selection of the movement function key by the usermay cause the terminal 290 to control the movement state of the at leastone component of the imaging device. For example, the selection of amoving forward key or a moving backward key may cause the terminal 290to direct the imaging device, or a portion thereof, to move forward ormove backward.

It should be noted that the above description is merely provided for thepurposes of illustration, and not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. For persons having ordinary skills in the art,multiple variations and modifications may be made under the teachings ofthe present disclosure. However, those variations and modifications donot depart from the scope of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the second voice processing device 310 may include astorage device. The storage device of the second voice processing device310 may include a voice module configured to implement a voicecommunication function of the second voice processing device 130.

In some embodiments, an information exchange between the terminal 290and the imaging device may be realized according to a voice overInternet protocol (VoIP). As used herein, the VoIP (also called IPtelephony) may refer to a methodology and group of technologies for thedelivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over InternetProtocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet.

In some embodiments, a voice processing may be performed by a universaldigital signal processor and a field programmable gate array. The use ofthe digital signal processor may have multiple advantages, such as asimple implementation, portability, and a fast processing speed.

When the voice communication is implemented, a hardware part of thesecond voice processing device 310 may include an audio chip. Anexternal hardware interface may include an analog port and a digitalport. The analog port may be configured to input and output an audiosignal, and support a line input and a voice acquisition. In someembodiments, the digital port may include a chip select (CS), a serialdigital interface pin (SDIN), a serial clock (SCLK), and a mode pin. Thecommunication between an audio control port and a digital signalprocessing (DSP) chip may be realized by a multi-channel buffer serialport (McBSP1). The process of converting an analog signal into a digitalsignal may be referred to as an analog-to-digital conversion, and it mayinclude sampling, quantization, encoding, and pulse code modulation.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary hardware and/orsoftware components of an exemplary computing device 400 on which theprocessing device 120 may be implemented according to some embodimentsof the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the computingdevice 400 may include a processor 410, a storage 420, an input/output(I/O) 430, and a communication port 440.

The processor 410 may execute computer instructions (e.g., program code)and perform functions of the processing device 120 in accordance withtechniques described herein. The computer instructions may include, forexample, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures,procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functionsdescribed herein. For example, the processor 410 may process imagingdata obtained from the imaging device 110, the terminals) 140, thestorage device 130, and/or any other component of the imaging system100. In some embodiments, the processor 410 may include one or morehardware processors, such as a microcontroller, a microprocessor, areduced instruction set computer (RISC), an application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), an application-specific instruction-setprocessor (ASID), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processingunit (GPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a microcontroller unit, adigital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA),an advanced RISC machine (ARM), a programmable logic device (PLD), anycircuit or processor capable of executing one or more functions, or thelike, or any combination thereof.

Merely for illustration, only one processor is described in thecomputing device 400. However, it should be noted that the computingdevice 400 in the present disclosure may also include multipleprocessors. Thus operations and/or method steps that are performed byone processor as described in the present disclosure may also be jointlyor separately performed by the multiple processors. For example, if inthe present disclosure the processor of the computing device 400executes both process A and process B, it should be understood thatprocess A and process B may also be performed by two or more differentprocessors jointly or separately in the computing device 400 (e.g., afirst processor executes process A and a second processor executesprocess B, or the first and second processors jointly execute processesA and B).

The storage 420 may store data/information obtained from the imagingdevice 110, the terminal(s) 140, the storage device 130, and/or anyother component of the imaging system 100. The storage 420 may besimilar to the storage device 130 described in connection with FIG. 1,and the detailed descriptions are not repeated here.

The I/O 430 may input and/or output signals, data, information, etc. Insome embodiments, the I/O 430 may enable a user interaction with theprocessing device 120. In some embodiments, the I/O 430 may include aninput device and an output device. Examples of the input device mayinclude a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a microphone, a soundrecording device, or the like, or a combination thereof. Examples of theoutput device may include a display device, a loudspeaker, a printer, aprojector, or the like, or a combination thereof. Examples of thedisplay device may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), alight-emitting diode (LED)-based display, a flat panel display, a curvedscreen, a television device, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a touchscreen, orthe like, or a combination thereof.

The communication port 440 may be connected to a network (e.g., thenetwork 150) to facilitate data communications. The communication port440 may establish connections between the processing device 120 and theimaging device 110, the terminal(s) 140, and/or the storage device 130.The connection may be a wired connection, a wireless connection, anyother communication connection that can enable data transmission and/orreception, and/or any combination of these connections. The wiredconnection may include, for example, an electrical cable, an opticalcable, a telephone wire, or the like, or any combination thereof. Thewireless connection may include, for example, a Bluetooth™ link, a WiFi™link, a WiMax™ link, a MILAN link, a ZigBee link, a mobile network link(e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G), or the like, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the communication port 440 may be and/or include astandardized communication port, such as RS232, RS485. In someembodiments, the communication port 440 may be a specially designedcommunication port. For example, the communication port 440 may bedesigned in accordance with the digital imaging and communications inmedicine (MOM) protocol.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary hardware and/orsoftware components of an exemplary mobile device 500 on which theterminal(s) 140 may be implemented according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mobile device 500 may include acommunication platform 510, a display 520, a graphics processing unit(GPU) 530, a central processing unit (CPU) 540, an I/O 550, a memory560, and a storage 590. In some embodiments, any other suitablecomponent, including but not limited to a system bus or a controller(not shown), may also be included in the mobile device 500.

In some embodiments, the communication platform 510 may be configured toestablish a connection between the mobile device 500 and othercomponents of the imaging system 100, and enable data and/or signal tobe transmitted between the mobile device 500 and other components of theimaging system 100. For example, the communication platform 510 mayestablish a wireless connection between the mobile device 500 and theimaging device 110, and/or the processing device 120. The wirelessconnection may include, for example, a Bluetooth™ link, a WiFi™ link, aWiMax™ link, a WLAN link, a ZigBee link, a mobile network link (e.g.,3G, 4G, 5G), or the like, or any combination thereof. The communicationplatform 510 may also enable the data and/or signal between the mobiledevice 500 and other components of the imaging system 100. For example,the communication platform 510 may transmit data and/or signals inputtedby a user to other components of the imaging system 100. The inputteddata and/or signals may include a user instruction. As another example,the communication platform 510 may receive data and/or signalstransmitted from the processing device 120. The received data and/orsignals may include imaging data acquired by a detector of the imagingdevice 110.

In some embodiments, a mobile operating system (OS) 570 (e.g., iOS™,Android™, Windows Phone™, etc.) and one or more applications (App(s))580 may be loaded into the memory 560 from the storage 590 in order tobe executed by the CPU 540. The applications 580 may include a browseror any other suitable mobile apps for receiving and renderinginformation respect to an imaging process or other information from theprocessing device 120. User interactions with the information stream maybe achieved via the I/O 550 and provided to the processing device 120and/or other components of the imaging system 100 via the network 150.

To implement various modules, units, and their functionalities describedin the present disclosure, computer hardware platforms may be used asthe hardware platform(s) for one or more of the elements describedherein. A computer with user interface elements may be used to implementa personal computer (PC) or another type of work station or terminaldevice, although a computer may also act as a server if appropriatelyprogrammed. It is believed that those skilled in the art are familiarwith the structure, programming and general operation of such computerequipment and as a result, the drawings should be self-explanatory.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging systemaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, an imaging system 600 may be an example of the imagingsystem 100 or a portion of the imaging system 100. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the imaging system 600 may include an imaging device, a terminal610, an exposure synchronization module 612, a first transceiver 650, asecond transceiver 660, and a third transceiver 670. The imaging devicemay include an X-ray source and a detector 640. The X-ray source mayinclude a high voltage generator 620 and a tube 630.

The terminal 610 may be configured to control the imaging device. Insome embodiments, the terminal 610 may transmit a control signal to atleast one component of the imaging device to control a status of the atleast one component of the imaging device. The control signal mayinclude a readiness signal, an exposure signal, an imaging parameteradjustment signal, or the like, or any combination thereof. The statusof the at least one component (e.g., the high voltage generator 620, thetube 630, the detector 640) of the imaging device may include aconnection status, a readiness status, power information, temperatureinformation, error information, or the like; or any combination thereof.For example, the terminal 610 may obtain a status of the high voltagegenerator 620. The terminal 610 may transmit the control signal to thehigh voltage generator 620 based on the status of the high voltagegenerator 620. As another example, the terminal 610 may obtain a statusof the detector 640. The terminal 610 may transmit the control signal tothe detector 640 based on the status of the detector 640.

In some embodiments, the terminal 610 may be the same as or similar tothe terminal 140 or the terminal 290. More descriptions of the terminal610 may be found elsewhere in the present disclosure (e.g., FIG. 1, 2,3, and descriptions thereof).

The high voltage generator 620 may be configured to generate ahigh-voltage and current for the tube 630. The tube 630 may include afilament (not shown in FIG. 6) and an anode target (not shown in FIG.6), The high-voltage generated by the high-voltage generator 620 maytrigger the filament to emit a plurality of electrons to form anelectron beam. The emitted electron beam may be impinged on a small areaon the anode target to generate radiation beams (e.g., X-rays beams)consisting of high-energetic photons. The radiation beams may becollimated by a collimator (not shown in FIG. 6) and project onto asurface of the detector 640. The detector 640 may detect the radiationbeams collimated by the collimator and generate data associated with theprojection formed by the detected radiation beams (e.g., X-rays beams)as image data (also referred to as projection data). The image data maybe transmitted to the terminal 610 for further processing.

The first transceiver 650 may be configured to transmit information ofthe terminal 610, and receive information from one or more othercomponents (e.g., the high voltage generator 620, the tube 630, thedetector 640) of the imaging system 600. For example, the firsttransceiver 650 may transmit the control signal from the terminal 610 tothe one or more other components (e.g., the high voltage generator 620,the tube 630, the detector 640) of the imaging system 600. As anotherexample, the first transceiver 650 may receive statuses of the one ormore components (e.g., the high voltage generator 620, the tube 630, thedetector 640) of the imaging system 600.

The second transceiver 660 may be configured to transmit information ofthe high voltage generator 620, and receive information from one or moreother components (e.g., the terminal 610, the tube 630, the detector640) of the imaging system 600. For example, the second transceiver 660may transmit a status of the high voltage generator 620 to the one ormore other components (e.g., the terminal 610, the tube 630, thedetector 640) of the imaging system 600. As another example, the secondtransceiver 660 may receive the control signal from the terminal 610. Asstill another example, the second transceiver 660 may receive statusesof the one or more other components (e.g., the tube 630, the detector640) of the imaging system 600.

The third transceiver 670 may be configured to transmit information ofthe detector 640, and receive information from one or more othercomponents (e.g., the terminal 610, the high voltage generator 620, thetube 630) of the imaging system 600. For example, the third transceiver670 may transmit a status of the detector 640 to the one or more othercomponents (e.g., the terminal 610, the high voltage generator 620, thetube 630) of the imaging system 600. As another example, the thirdtransceiver 670 may receive the control signal from the terminal 6101.As still another example, the third transceiver 670 may receive statusesof the one or more other components (e.g., the high voltage generator620, the tube 630) of the imaging system 600.

The exposure synchronization module 612 may be configured to synchronizethe high voltage generator 620 and the detector 640 based on the controlsignal. In some embodiments, the exposure synchronization module 612 maybe installed in the terminal 610, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In someembodiments, the exposure synchronization module 612 may be installed inthe imaging device. For example, the exposure synchronization module 612may be operably connected to the high voltage generator 620 and thedetector 640. In some embodiments, the exposure synchronization module612 may be separate from the imaging device and the terminal 610.

In some embodiments, the high voltage generator 620 may receiveinformation (e.g., the control signal) from the terminal 610 andinformation (e.g., a real-time status of the detector 640) from thedetector 640 via the second transceiver 660. The second transceiver 660may transmit the information of the high voltage generator 620 (e.g., areal-time status of the high voltage generator 620) to the detector 640via the exposure synchronization module 612. The detector 640 mayreceive information (e.g., the control signal) from the terminal 610 andinformation (e.g., the real-time status of the high voltage generator620) from the high voltage generator 620 via the third transceiver 670.The high voltage generator 620 and the detector 640 may be synchronizedbased on the control signal. The imaging system 600 may generate imagedata by imaging the subject based on the control signal andsynchronization between the high voltage generator 620 and the detector640. For example, the terminal 610 may receive readiness signals fromthe high voltage generator 620 and the detector 640 via the firsttransceiver 650. The terminal 610 may generate the control signal (e.g.,an exposure signal) and process the control signal. The terminal 610 maytransmit the processed control signal to the high voltage generator 620.The high voltage generator 620 may transmit the processed control signalto the exposure synchronization module 612. The exposure synchronizationmodule 612 may transmit the processed control signal to the detector640. The detector 640 may transmit the readiness signal to the exposuresynchronization module 612 and the high voltage generator 620. The highvoltage generator 620 may generate the high-voltage and current for thetube 630 to generate radiation beams (e.g., X-rays beams).

In some embodiments, the terminal 610, the exposure synchronizationmodule 612, the high voltage generator 620, the tube 630, the detector640, the first transceiver 650, the second transceiver 660, and thethird transceiver 670 may be connected to and/or communicate with eachother via a wireless connection, a wired connection, or a combinationthereof. The wired connection may include an electrical cable, anoptical cable, a telephone wire, or the like, or any combinationthereof. The wireless connection may include a Bluetooth™ link, a Wi-Fi™link, a WiMax™ link, a WLAN link, a ZigBee link, a mobile network link(e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G), or the like, or any combination thereof. Theconnection between the components of the imaging system 600 may bevariable. For example, the terminal 610 may be connected to the highvoltage generator 620 wirelessly. As another example, the terminal 610may be connected to the detector 640 wirelessly. As still anotherexample, the high voltage generator 620 may be connected to the detector640 wirelessly. As still another example, the high voltage generator 620may be connected to the tube 630 via a cable.

Compared to an imaging device whose components, such as a high voltagegenerator, a detector, and a terminal, that are connected to and/orcommunicate with each other via a wired connection, the imaging deviceor system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure whosecomponents, such as the high voltage generator 620, the detector 640,and the terminal 610, may be connected to and/or communicate with eachother via a wireless connection, which may improve the flexibilityand/or availability of mobile imaging.

The imaging system 600 disclosed in the present disclosure may includethe imaging device and the terminal 610. The high voltage generator 620and the detector 640 in the imaging device may be connected to and/orcommunicate with the terminal 610 via a wireless connection. Theterminal 610 may transmit the control signal to the imaging device. Theimaging device may generate the image data by imaging the subject basedon the control signal and synchronization between the high voltagegenerator 620 and the detector 640. The terminal 610 may obtain,process, and transmit the image data. Accordingly, the imaging devicemay be controlled via the terminal 610 and the image data may also beprocessed via the terminal 610. Due to the wireless communicationbetween the terminal 610 and the imaging device, the terminal 610 may beused away from the imaging device. Therefore, the imaging device doesnot need to be moved frequently, and the image data may be processedconveniently and quickly, which may improve the flexibility and/oravailability of mobile imaging.

It should be noted that the above description is merely provided for thepurposes of illustration, and not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. For persons having ordinary skills in the art,multiple variations and modifications may be made under the teachings ofthe present disclosure. However, those variations and modifications donot depart from the scope of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the imaging system 600 may include one or more additionalcomponents not described, and/or without one or more componentsillustrated in FIG. 6. For example, the first transceiver 650, thesecond transceiver 660, and the third transceiver 670 may be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary imaging deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, an imaging device 700 may be an example of the imagingdevice 110 or a portion of the imaging device 110. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the imaging device 700 may include a high voltage generator 710,a tube 720, and a detector 730.

The high voltage generator 710 may be configured to generate ahigh-voltage and current for the tube 720. In some embodiments, the highvoltage generator 710 may receive a control signal from a terminal(e.g., the terminal 140, the terminal 290) and generate the high-voltageand current for the tube 720 based on the control signal.

The tube 720 may include a filament and an anode target. Thehigh-voltage generated by the high-voltage generator 710 may trigger thefilament to emit a plurality of electrons to form an electron beam. Theemitted electron beam may be impinged on a small area on the anodetarget to generate radiation beams (e.g., X-rays beams) consisting ofhigh-energetic photons. The radiation beams may be collimated by acollimator and project onto a surface of the detector 730.

The detector 730 may detect the radiation beams collimated by thecollimator and generate data associated with the projection formed bythe detected radiation beams (e.g., X-rays beams) as image data (alsoreferred to as projection data). The image data may be in a standardformat (e.g., DICOM format). In some embodiments, the detector 730 maytransmit the image data to the terminal.

The imaging device 700 disclosed in the present disclosure may beconnected to and/or communicate with the terminal via a wirelessconnection. The imaging device 700 may receive the control signal fromthe terminal and generate the image data associate with the subject.Accordingly, the imaging device 700 may receive information from theterminal wirelessly to perform a scan on the subject, and the scan maybe performed conveniently and quickly, which may improve the flexibilityand/or availability of mobile imaging.

It should be noted that the above description is merely provided for thepurposes of illustration, and not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. For persons having ordinary skills in the art,multiple variations and modifications may be made under the teachings ofthe present disclosure. However, those variations and modifications donot depart from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary terminalaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, a terminal 800 may be an example of the terminal 140 or aportion of the terminal 140. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the terminal 800may include a storage device 810, an interface 820, a transceiver 830,and a processor 840.

The storage device 810 may be configured to store information/dataassociated with the imaging system 100, For example, the storage device810 may store information associated with a subject. As another example,the storage device 810 may store an imaging parameter associated with atleast one component of the imaging system 100. As still another example,the storage device 810 may store at least one imaging protocol. As stillanother example, the storage device 810 may store a status of at leastone component of the imaging system 100.

The interface 820 may be configured to generate and/or displayinformation/data associated with the imaging system 100. In someembodiments, the interface 820 may be configured to displayinformation/data associated with the imaging system 100. For example,the interface 820 may display image data associated with a subject. Asanother example, the interface 820 may display an imaging parameter. Asstill another example, the interface 820 may display a status of atleast one component of the imaging system 100. In some embodiments, theinterface 820 may be configured to generate information/data associatedwith the imaging system 100. For example, the interface 820 may generatea control signal based on a selected imaging protocol from at least oneimaging protocol stored in a storage device (e.g., the storage device810, the storage device 130) of the imaging system 100.

The transceiver 830 may be configured to receive information/data fromor transmit information/data to one or more components of the imagingsystem 100. For example, the transceiver 830 may transmit a controlsignal to an imaging device (e.g., the imaging device 110). As anotherexample, the transceiver 830 may obtain image data associated with asubject from an imaging device (e.g., the imaging device 110).

The processor 840 may be configured to process information/dataassociated with the imaging system 100. In some embodiments, theprocessor 840 may process image data collected by an imaging device(e.g., the imaging device 110). For example, the processor 840 mayperform an image segmentation operation, an image classificationoperation, an image recognition operation, an image registrationoperation, an image fusion operation, an image binarization operation,an image scaling operation, an image rotation operation, an imagecropping operation, a window width and/or window level adjustmentoperation, a brightness adjustment operation, a grayscale adjustmentoperation, a histogram operation, or the like, on the image data.

The terminal 800 disclosed in the present disclosure may be connected toand/or communicate with the imaging device (e.g., the imaging device110) via a wireless connection. The terminal 800 may transmit a controlsignal to the imaging device and obtain image data from the imagingdevice. The terminal 800 may be removably attached to the imagingdevice, and the operation of the terminal may be convenient and simple.When the imaging device is abnormally powered down or a scan of thesubject is emergency stopped, an operating system of the terminal 800may not be damaged and the image data may not be lost. In addition, whenthe user processes the image data via the terminal 800, the imagingdevice does not need to be moved, and the image data may be processedconveniently and quickly, which may improve the flexibility and/oravailability of mobile imaging.

It should be noted that the above description is merely provided for thepurposes of illustration, and not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. For persons having ordinary skills in the art,multiple variations and modifications may be made under the teachings ofthe present disclosure. However, those variations and modifications donot depart from the scope of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the terminal 800 may include one or more additionalcomponents not described, and/or without one or more componentsillustrated in FIG. 8. For example, the terminal 800 may further includea network card, a communication interface, a power interface, and/or amemory.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for obtainingimage data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, the process 900 may be implemented in the imagingsystem 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the process 900 may bestored in the storage device 130 and/or the storage (e.g., the storage420, the storage 590, the storage device 810) as a form of instructions,and invoked and/or executed by the processing device 120 (e.g., theprocessor 410 of the computing device 400 as illustrated in FIG. 4, theCPU 540 of the mobile device 500 as illustrated in FIG. 5).

In 910, a terminal (e.g., the terminal 140) may transmit a controlsignal to an imaging device (e.g., the imaging device 110) wirelessly.In some embodiments, the terminal may transmit the control signal to theimaging device via the network 150.

In some embodiments, the terminal may transmit the control signal to atleast one component (e.g., a high voltage generator, a detector, a tube)of the imaging device to control a status of the at least one componentof the imaging device. The control signal may include a readinesssignal, an exposure signal, an imaging parameter adjustment signal, orthe like, or any combination thereof. The status of the at least onecomponent of the imaging device may include a connection status, areadiness status, power information, temperature information, errorinformation, or the Ike, or any combination thereof. For example, theterminal may transmit the control signal to the high voltage generatorand/or the detector based on a status of the high voltage generatorand/or a status of the detector.

In some embodiments, an exposure synchronization module (e.g., theexposure synchronization module 612) may perform a synchronizationoperation on the high voltage generator and the detector based on thecontrol signal. For example, the terminal may receive readiness signalsfrom the high voltage generator and the detector. The terminal maygenerate the control signal (e.g., an exposure signal) based on thereadiness signals received from the high voltage generator and thedetector. The terminal may transmit the control signal to the highvoltage generator. The high voltage generator may transmit the controlsignal to the exposure synchronization module. The exposuresynchronization module may transmit the control signal to the detector.The detector may transmit the readiness signal to the exposuresynchronization module and the high voltage generator. Accordingly, thehigh voltage generator and the detector may be synchronized based on thecontrol signal.

In 920, the imaging device (e.g., the imaging device 110) may generateimage data based on the control signal.

In some embodiments, the imaging device may generate the image databased on the control signal and the synchronization between the highvoltage generator and the detector. For example, after thesynchronization between the high voltage generator and the detector iscompleted, the high voltage generator may generate a high-voltage andcurrent for the tube. The tube may generate radiation beams (e.g.,X-rays beams) consisting of high-energetic photons. The detector maydetect the radiation beams and generate data associated with theprojection formed by the detected radiation beams (e.g., X-rays beams)as the image data.

In 930, the terminal (e.g., the terminal 140) mayobtain/process/transmit the image data. In some embodiments, theterminal may obtain the image data from the imaging device via thenetwork 150. The terminal may transmit the image data to one or moreother components of the imaging system 100 via the network 150.

In some embodiments, the terminal may process the image data. Forexample, the terminal may perform an image segmentation operation, animage classification operation, an image recognition operation, an imageregistration operation, an image fusion operation, an image binarizationoperation, or the like, on the image data.

The method disclosed in the present disclosure may be applicable to amedical imaging system. The medical imaging system may include animaging device (e.g., an X-ray imaging device) and a terminal. Theimaging device may be connected to and/or communicate with the terminalvia a wireless connection. The imaging device may generate image data byimaging a subject based on a control signal. The imaging device maytransmit a status of at least one component of the imaging device to theterminal for display. The imaging device may transmit the image data tothe terminal for display and/or processing. The terminal may transmitthe control signal. The terminal may display the status of the at leastone component of the imaging device. The terminal mayobtain/process/transmit the image data.

It should be noted that the above description is merely provided for thepurposes of illustration, and not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. For persons having ordinary skills in the art,multiple variations and modifications may be made under the teachings ofthe present disclosure. However, those variations and modifications donot depart from the scope of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, one or more operations may be added or omitted. Forexample, an exposure synchronization operation may be added beforeoperation 920. The exposure synchronization module may synchronize thehigh voltage generator and the detector of the imaging device based onthe control signal.

Having thus described the basic concepts, it may be rather apparent tothose skilled in the art after reading this detailed disclosure that theforegoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way ofexample only and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, andmodifications may occur and are intended to those skilled in the art,though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, andmodifications are intended to be suggested by this disclosure, and arewithin the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of thisdisclosure.

Moreover, certain terminology has been used to describe embodiments ofthe present disclosure. For example, the terms “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” and “some embodiments” mean that a particular feature,structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.Therefore, it is emphasized and should be appreciated that two or morereferences to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or “an alternativeembodiment” in various portions of this specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures or characteristics may be combined assuitable in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Further, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects ofthe present disclosure may be illustrated and described herein in any ofa number of patentable classes or context including any new and usefulprocess, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new anduseful improvement thereof. Accordingly, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be implemented entirely hardware, entirely software(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or combiningsoftware and hardware implementation that may all generally be referredto herein as a “module,” “unit,” “component,” “device,” or “system,”Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readable mediahaving computer readable program code embodied thereon.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including electro-magnetic, optical, or thelike, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signalmedium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computerreadable storage medium and that may communicate, propagate, ortransport a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on acomputer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriatemedium, including wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, or thelike, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent disclosure may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C++, C#, VB. NET,Python or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, suchas the “C” programming language, Visual Basic, Fortran 2003, Perl, COBOL2002, PHP, ABAP, dynamic programming languages such as Python, Ruby andGroovy, or other programming languages. The program code may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider) or in a cloud computing environment or offered as aservice such as a Software as a Service (SaaS).

Furthermore, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, orthe use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is notintended to limit the claimed processes and methods to any order exceptas may be specified in the claims. Although the above disclosurediscusses through various examples what is currently considered to be avariety of useful embodiments of the disclosure, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose, and that the appendedclaims are not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on thecontrary, are intended to cover modifications and equivalentarrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the disclosedembodiments. For example, although the implementation of variouscomponents described above may be embodied in a hardware device, it mayalso be implemented as a software only solution, e.g., an installationon an existing server or mobile device.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description ofembodiments of the present disclosure, various features are sometimesgrouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereoffor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure aiding in theunderstanding of one or more of the various embodiments. This method ofdisclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intentionthat the claimed subject matter requires more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, claim subject matter lie inless than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

1. A system, comprising: an imaging device configured to image asubject; a voice processing device configured to receive a first voicesignal from or transmit a second voice signal to the subject when thesubject is positioned within the imaging device; and a terminalconfigured to receive a third voice signal from or transmit a fourthvoice signal to a user.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: animage capture device configured to capture an image representing astatus of the subject when the subject is positioned within the imagingdevice.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: astorage device, in communication with the terminal, configured to storeinformation including or relating to at least one of the first voicesignal, the second voice signal, the third voice signal, the fourthvoice signal, or a recorded voice signal, wherein the terminal isconfigured to transmit at least a portion of the information stored inthe storage device to at least one of the subject or the user.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the voice processing device includes at leastone of a speaker, a microphone, or an integrated device including thespeaker and the microphone.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the terminal includes a second voice processing device.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the second voice processing device includesat least one of a speaker, a microphone, or an integrated deviceincluding the speaker and the microphone.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the terminal is configured to receive an instruction provided bythe user for controlling the imaging of the subject by the imagingdevice.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal includes anexposure control unit, the exposure control unit being configured toadjust an exposure parameter and transmit a command for adjusting theexposure parameter to the imaging device.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the terminal includes a movement control unit, the movementcontrol unit being configured to transmit to the imaging device a secondcommand for controlling a movement of at least one component of theimaging device.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal isremovably attached to the imaging device.
 13. The system of claim 1,wherein the terminal is a portable tablet.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the imaging device is an X-ray imaging device.
 15. (canceled)16. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device includes: an X-raysource including a high voltage generator and a tube; and a detector,the terminal is in communication with the high voltage generator and thetube to transmit a control signal, the system further includes: anexposure synchronization module configured to synchronize the highvoltage generator and the detector based on the control signal, theimaging device is configured to generate image data by imaging thesubject based on the control signal and synchronization between the highvoltage generator and the detector, and the terminal is configured toobtain, process, and transmit the image data.
 17. The system of claim16, further comprising: a first transceiver, wherein the firsttransceiver is configured to transmit the control signal and receivesecond information from at least one of the high voltage generator orthe tube; a second transceiver, wherein the second transceiver isconfigured to transmit third information of the high voltage generator,and receive fourth information from at least one of the terminal or thetube; and a third transceiver, wherein the third transceiver isconfigured to transmit fifth information of the detector, and receivesixth information from at least one of the terminal or the high voltagegenerator.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the terminal is furtherconfigured to obtain a status of at least one of the high voltagegenerator or the detector.
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. The systemof claim 1, wherein communication between at least two of the imagingdevice, the voice processing device, or the terminal is wireless. 22.(canceled)
 23. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a picturearchiving and communication system (PACS), wherein: at least one of theimaging device, or the terminal is further configured to communicatewith the PACS. 24-49. (canceled)
 50. A method implemented on a computingdevice having one or more processors and one or more storage devices,the method comprising: transmitting, by a terminal, a control signal toan imaging device, wherein the imaging device includes an X-ray sourceand a detector, the X-ray source includes a high voltage generator and atube; performing, by an exposure synchronization module, asynchronization operation on the high voltage generator and the detectorbased on the control signal; generating, by the imaging device, imagedata based on the control signal and synchronization between the highvoltage generator and the detector; and obtaining, by the terminal, theimage data.
 51. The method of claim 50, further comprising: processing,by the terminal, the image data.
 52. The method of claim 50, furthercomprising: transmitting, by the terminal, the image data. 53.(canceled)